Unit 5 Part 2: Oceanography

What is the main cause of deep water ocean currents?

• differences in density of ocean water

• the rotation of Earth on its axis

Carbon dioxide levels in the ocean are directly correlated to carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. What would be the MOST likely effect of burning large stands of rainforest?

• The ocean water would become more acidic.

• The ocean water would dissolve gases more easily.

What phenomenon is most likely responsible for the currents’ circulation patterns?

• Coriolis effect

• Sun’s tidal effect

Variation in which property between water at different temperatures contributes most to the formation of horizontal ocean layers having distinct temperatures?

• density

• turbidity

Which statement best describes how El Niño affects precipitation in the southwestern United States?

• Warm ocean surface temperatures increase convection, thereby increasing rainfall.

• Warm air temperatures alter the jet stream, thereby decreasing rainfall.

Which of these is a likely prediction based on the current trend in ocean temperature data?

• corals in coral reefs dying

• accelerated growth of coral reefs

What is the primary energy source driving circulation of ocean currents on Earth?

• solar heating

• planetary rotation

The mixing of cold Arctic Ocean water with warm surface Atlantic currents off the northwestern coast of Europe causes which effect?

• sinking of water as it begins the Ocean Conveyor Belt.

• reversal of current direction back toward the European coast

The average temperature of Earth’s surface has increased approximately 1°C in the past century. Which of the following can best explain this increase in temperature?

• higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

• lower levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

If a northern coastline such as the Norway coast is located near a warm ocean current

• the climate will be colder than normal for that latitude.

• the climate will be warmer than normal for that latitude.